A cool tip on a Beta program from Google - Google Voice Local Seearch. Using voice recognition this mobile service enables users to call a toll free number, specify a location and business type/name.

The service uses voice recognition technology to walk the uswer through the options. Specify a city, submit a business name or type, then listen to the results. A test of this app from my Nokia N80 proved very simple and had surprisingly good results. I search Fort Collins, Colorado for "Bowling" and the "hits" were very accurate providing me with listings of bowling alleys within my region. Once I seleted the desired listing I am automatically connected... optionally, you can enter the command "text message" and the results are sent via txt messaging... unfortunately I'm still waiting for the results to come through to my phone.. perhaps T-Mobile isn't supported at this time! Oops.. I take that back... the text message did arrive about 10 minutes after my request (after all, the service is still in Beta). Low and behold I received a txt that contained the address and phone number of the listing... one suggestion I would make would be to also provide a hyperlink to call up the location on Google Maps Mobile.. after all, doesn't eveyone have that application loaded ;0) See a screen-cap of the txt message here

Some facts about the service:

it's experimental

it's Free

Give it a try - See http://labs.google.com/goog411/ or dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (USA)

If the service doesn't work for you or you have other issues you might wish to also try the Google SMS (Beta) service. Simply start your search by sending an SMS to GOOGLE (466453)